Kennedy to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
June 1t 1867
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the recei[p]t of Your letter dated 31t May; transmitting the copy of a despatch from Governor Seymour, enclosing a letter from Chief Justice Needham, preferring a claim for compensation for conducting a commission of enquiry into the loss of the mail steamer "Labouchere," together with Colonial Secretary Youngs remarks thereon.
In reply I have to state, that I ordered a judicial enquiry which appeared to me to be very necessary in this case;Manuscript image and I thought the Chief Justice was the most fitting, as he was the most competent person, to hold it.
The enquiry was ably conducted, and the "Report" of the Commission was transmitted by me to the Secy of State for the Colonies about the middle of May 1866.
The facts of the case as stated by Mr Young are substantially correct.
Chief Justice Needham made no application to me for compensation, but had he done so, I should (having referred to the important interests at stake) have given it favorable consideration.
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I believe that this case scarcely came within the sphere of the ordinary duties of a Chief Justice, and that special compensation in like cases is not unusual.
I have the honor to be
Sir Your very obedient
Servant
A.E. Kennedy

Sir Fredc Rogers
&c &c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
See your minute on 4402. Mr Needham's brother Commissioners were allowed their expenses—15$ in one case, the other 7 1/2$—for 3 days in each case.
I do not think Capt: Kennedy strengthens the Chief Justice's application, nor do I see why he shd be differently remunerated from his brother Comrs.
5 June
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I should decline giving remuneration, and three day's travelling expenses is a matter which I should not raise with reference to a Chief Justice.
TFE 5 June
CBA 6/6
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I do not see any sufficient reason in Govr Kennedys letter for giving special remuneration in this case.
B&C 6/6
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Buckingham to Seymour, No. 34, 14 June 1867 instructing Seymour to advise Needham that he will not receive special remuneration for the enquiry into the loss of the mail steamer Labouchere.